Gujrat Water Management

In 2011 there was enough rain fall in Maharashtra. And today there are 41 villages suffering drought conditions. 3-4 buckets of water after 8 days !!! People like you and me never imagined a day without water.

This is not the first time.

In a popular Marathi news paper there was an article (esakal.com). Which says Droughts are golden opportunity for ministers to earn and get big packages.

41 villages are experiencing “Peepli live” like situation. Every News channel and politician visits.
Every politician who visits these villages , if they would carry water tanker with them, every village would be irrigated at least for next 1 year.

If Maharashtra government just mimic / copy Gujrat’s water management Policy, whole Maharashtra will live without water tanker.
Here is short look at how Gujrat emerged as good model for water management.

Gujrat is the only state where ground water levels are increased in last 8-9 years. Increasing ground water levels is a critical process and needs planning and continuity. It majorly needs political will.

Do you remember “Naramada bachav Andolan”, of course we all do !

Sardar Sarovar Dam

Narmada is the lifeline of Gujrat. And Sardar Sarovar Dam is lifesaver. This project would not be possible without visionary leadeship which Gujrat have for long one decade.

This is Gravity Dam.

The dam will irrigate 17,920 km2 (6,920 sq mi) of land spread over 12 districts, 62 talukas and 3393 villages (75% of which is drought-prone areas) in Gujarat.

The most controversial dam ever in India.

Look at this maps. This will give the clear idea of Canal.

Image from http://www.narmada.org

Narmada Canal

This is big canal and lifeline of half Gujrat. Narmada Canal not only spread water to Gujrat but also in neighboring State Rajasthan. 460 Kilometers in Gujrat and 76 KM in Rajasthan.
Another Amazing fact is, Narmada canal in Rajashtan is only 76 kilometers long but sub-branches of this canal provides water to 124 villages which is about 1477km. Lets not count about Gujrat’s total area of irrigation and cultivation.
This canal spreading happiness to half of the Gujrat as well as some of Rajasthan.

Solar Power

Gujrat have installed 1 km of Solar Panel at Sanand Branch Canal of Naramada Canal. Now this basically avoids evaporation of water. And also generates good energy for neighboring villages.